Powerplaying is a major offense in all RPG's. It makes other players angry, destroys the powerplayer's reputation, and leaves a mess with the keeper of the RPG and the character who was offended. Normally, you want to distance yourself from powerplaying at all costs. Here are some examples of powerplaying for all those who don't know or understand fully what it is:

1. 'The warrior woman watched the knight step boldly up to her, the woman's face and eyes masked by her helmet. She flicked her sword up, the razor sharp diamond blade slicing through his armor and removing his head cleanly from his shoulders...'
-The offense in this is really quite clear. The player who directs and cares for the warrior woman had no right or place to say if his head came off from his shoulders or not. He had no time to block or retaliate the woman's attack. Therefore, that is Powerplaying. Whenever one character hurts another character without the attacked character getting a chance to defend or say what happens to them, that it's powerplaying.

2. 'The red horse rears wildly and slams it dangerous hooves into the blue horse's side, blood spilling from the cut and the blue horse choking and instantly dying. The red horse walks away... neighing triumphantly.'
-Once again, the Blue horse had no say in this. The Red horse does not have the right to say whether the blue one dies or not, and it certainly has no right to say it won when it violated such a prominent law. Just remember the others right to block and retaliate.

3. 'Alaida flicked her hands and vines came up and tied up Kassandra.'
-Almost the same as the first two powerplaying examples. Don't ever control your opponent or dictate what they do.

These examples are the ones most commonly found in games. As stated, don't say that the other character was harmed without their consent or kill them without their consent.

THE DO'S AND DON'TS:

DO follow the rules set earlier in the game. If the laws set up by Guardian or creator state that certain professions and characters are allowed to powerplay, then they are allowed to powerplay. However, restrictions are set up, so don't think that they have free rein.

DO talk with another player if you are fighting against their character. If you do this in OOC notes or over e-mail, discuss who wants to die and who wants to live. If both characters want to live then the fight should be settled with the help of Guardian or creator.

DO keep in mind that you have a right to tattle-tale if someone powerplays. Powerplaying is an offense if the powerplayer breaks laws and the offense needs to be reported. It will be handled from there.

DO respect the other player. If their character is mean, it does not necessarily mean that their player is cruel. Don't use their low attitude as an excuse to powerplay or kill without permission.

DON'T assume that the other player wants to die. Ask them and find out. Remember, respect is a key thing in all fights, even if your own character is good or evil.

DON'T make excuses if you have powerplayed. It will only make everything worse and earn you disrespect. Be nice and apologize. As stated in almost all laws of the land, be adult.

DON'T throw a hissy fit when someone spots you for Powerplaying. Apologize and undo the act if at all possible.

DON'T make it an OOC thing. Stay In Character and keep to their attitudes. It makes everything harder for everyone if you go into an OOC fight.

The thing to remember is, a properly executed fight with no powerplaying involved will have no winner. If neither of you wants to lose, neither can. However, if you always want to win everything, the game will get boring, trust me on this. If you are in a fight, discuss this ooc with the other player and decide who will win, or how you will resolve it. There are ways to resolve fights where both may save face, such as agreeing in a draw, creating circumstances to pull your character from the fight, etc. However, you cannot just decide that you're gonna win it no matter what, the heck with the other guy. The best way to resolve arguments is with a roleplay judge or a dice roll done by a neutral third party. Morgan and many of the Guardians are quite happy to perform either service for you; just ask in the Guardian's Cave.

Overall, stay away from Powerplaying and just play true to your character and the laws. That will never set you on the wrong path.